There's no need to ever feel left out again at the water cooler conversation. Here's a rundown of the stories currently trending in the world, the country and your backyard.

Yahoo

Podesta apologizes: Obama administration adviser John Podesta has apologized via Twitter for comments he made linking the GOP leadership in the House to the cult that committed mass suicide in Guyana in 1978. Podesta said he had a lapse in judgment when he urged the president to use executive action more often since he was “facing a second term against a cult worthy of Jonestown in charge of one of the houses of Congress.” A current House member, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) was shot five times in an attack on a U.S. delegation that visited the compound where hours later 900 followers of leader Jim Jones committed suicide or were killed. Full story: Fox News

Just Ducky: "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson has been suspended from the hit A&E reality series after he made disparaging remarks against gays in an interview in the January edition of GQ magazine. The network on Wednesday said Robertson, 67, was on a "hiatus" from the show. Full story: The Associated Press

Delaying premium payments: Most major insurance providers have agreed to extend until Jan. 10 the deadline for the first premium payment due under the Affordable Care Act. Those insurers have agreed to cover any customer expense normally covered at the emergency room or doctor’s office after Jan. 1, as long as costumers pay the premium payment by Jan. 10. Full story: The Associated Press

Google

The target of thieves: Target is reporting that credit card numbers from an unknown number of its customers were hacked staring on the Black Friday weekend and continuing through Dec. 15. Investigators believe software installed on machines collected customer data when credit and debit cards were swiped to pay for purchases. Full story: CBS News

Where’s Queen B: A small group of supporters of the Affordable Care Act protested in front of Washington’s Verizon Center Wednesday night, asking singer Beyonce why she’s not encouraging young people to sign up for Obamacare. Rocky Twyman, a DC activist who organized the event, said, “This Wednesday evening, representatives of the Pray at the Pump Movement (PAPM) and other concerned citizens will picket her (Beyonce’s) concert urging her to use her enormous influence with youth to get them signed up before the December 23 deadline. ...” Full story: Politico

NSA recommendations: An advisory panel has presented President Barack Obama with a list of recommendations that would significantly change the operations of the National Security Agency. One recommendation suggested that Americans' phone records would be held by phone companies, rather than the NSA. Full story: The Associated Press

An artist created this video by taking footage of traffic near the Washington Street overpass in San Diego, Calif., and using his computer to reorganize cars by their color then streaming them along the highway.

Every wonder why we put Christmas trees in our living rooms? Or where the red-nosed reindeer got his start? Check out 27 Winter Holiday Tradition Origins.

al.com

Can't levy fines: An opinion released by the Attorney General’s office says that while the state legislature approved new fines for failing to file accurate or timely campaign finance reports, the secretary of state does not have the power to levy those fines. The legislature, the opinion said, did not authorize the secretary of state to collect the fines.